LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

CALIFORNIA 

SANTA    CRUZ 


SANTA     CRUZ 


Gift  of 
MARION   R.   WALKER 

in  memory  of  his  grandfather 

THE  HON.  MARION  CANNON 

M.C.  1892-94 


SANTA     CRUZ 


U.S. 


(  H 


LIFE   AND    CHARACTER 


A  REPRESENTATIVE  FROM  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 


DKI.IVKKKI)    IN    THE 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  AND  IN  THE  SENATE, 


FIFTY-SECOND     CONGRESS. 


PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OK  CONGRESS. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 
1893. 


Resolvedly  the  Home  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  there 
be  printed  of  the  eulogies  delivered  in  Congress  upon  ELI  THOMAS  STACK- 
HOUSE,  late  a  Kepresentative  from  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  8,000  copies, 
of  which  2,000  copies  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Senators  and  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and  of  those  remaining  2,000  shall  be  for  the 
use  of  the  Senate  and  4,000  for  the  use  of  the  House  of  Representatives ;  and 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  have  printed 
a  portrait  of  the  said  ELI  THOMAS  STACKHOUSE  to  accompany  said  eulogies. 
That  of  the  quota  of  the  House  of  Representatives  the  Public  Printer  shall 
set  apart  50  copies,  which  he  shall  have  bound  in  full  morocco  with  gilt 
edges,  the  same  to  be  delivered,  when  completed,  to  the  family  of  the 
deceased. 

Agreed  to  in  the  House  of  Representatives  February  18,  1893. 

Agreed  to  in  the  Senate  February  24,  1893. 
2 


PROCEEDINGS  IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 


ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  DEATH. 


JUNE  14,  1892. 

Mr.  TILLMAN,  of  South  Carolina.  Mr.  SPEAKER,  it  becomes 
my  sad  duty  to  announce  to  the  House  the  death,  from  heart 
disease,  at  his  lodgings  in  this  city,  of  my  colleague,  Hon.  ELI 
THOMAS  STACKHOUSE,  lately  a  Eepresentative  from  the  State 
of  South  Carolina,  who  breathed  his  last  at  1 :30  o'clock  this 
morning.  His  death  was  very  sudden  and  unexpected  both  to 
himself  and  to  his  friends.  Only  yesterday  afternoon  he 
answered  to  a  roll  call  in  this  House,  was  in  his  usual  cheerful 
spirits,  and  seemed  to  be  hopeful  of  the  future  and  busy  with 
thoughts  and  plans  for  the  benefit  of  his  family,  his  constitu- 
ents, and  his  country;  but  later  in  the  day  he  complained  of  the 
relaxation  caused  by  the  heat,  and  the  atmosphere  of  this  ill- 
ventilated  Hall,  and  left  for  his  quarters.  He  rallied  during 
the  evening,  read  the  newspapers,  or  had  some  political 
articles  read  to  him,  and  told  his  son,  the  only  member  of  his 
family  who  was  with  him,  that  he  need  not  sit  up  with  him ; 
but  about  midnight  the  son  awoke  and  found  his  father  breath- 
ing laboriously.  He  immediately  went  to  him  and  tried  to 
arouse  him,  but  in  vain.  The  heavy  hand  of  the  fell  destroyer 
had  touched  him. 

This  sudden  and  unexpected  death,  sir,  is  only  another  strik- 
ing illustration  of  the  truth  of  the  touching  prayer  just  offered 

3 


4  Proceedings  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

by  our  eloquent  Chaplain  that  in  the  inidst  of  life  we  are  in 
death. 

This  is  not  the  proper  time,  sir,  to  enlarge  on  the  virtues, 
the  merits,  and  the  services  of  our  brother  member ;  but,  of 
course,  the  South  Carolina  delegation  will,  at  some  proper  time 
in  the  near  future,  ask  the  House  to  suspend  its  business  for 
the  purpose  of  presenting  appropriate  eulogies  on  the  life 
and  character  of  the  deceased. 

I  ask  leave  at  this  time  to  offer  for  consideration  the  follow- 
ing resolutions. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  House  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  the  announce- 
ment of  the  death  of  Hon.  ELI  THOMAS  STACKHOUSE,  late  a  Representative 
from  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  seven  members  of  the  House, 
with  such  members  of  the  Senate  as  may  be  joined,  be  appointed  to  take 
order  for  superintending  the  funeral  and  to  escort  the  remains  of  the 
deceased  to  their  place  of  burial,  and  that  the  necessary  expenses  attending 
the  execution  of  this  order  be  paid  out  of  the  contingent  fund  of  the  House. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  House  be  authorized  and 
directed  to  take  such  steps  as  may  be  necessary  for  properly  carrying  out  the 
provisions  of  this  resolution. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  communicate  the  foregoing  resolutions  to  the 
Senate,  and  that,  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
deceased,  the  House  do  now  adjourn. 

The  resolutions  were  unanimously  agreed  to. 

The  SPEAKER.  Before  declaring  the  result  of  the  vote  on  the 
last  of  the  resolutions  just  adopted,  the  Chair  will  announce 
the  appointment  of  the  following  committee : 

Mr.  Tillman,  of  South  Carolina;  Mr.  Lanhain,  of  Texas;  Mr. 
Cate,  of  Arkansas;  Mr.  Lewis,  of  Mississippi;  Mr.  Shell,  of 
South  Carolina;  Mr.  Jolley,  of  South  Dakota;  Mr.  Waugh,  of 
Indiana. 

The  result  of  the  vote  on  the  resolutions  was  then  announced 
as  above  recorded;  and  accordingly  (at  11  o'clock  and  18  min- 
utes a.  m.)  the  House  adjourned. 


EULOGIES. 


JANUARY  28, 1893. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  Clerk  will  report  the  special  order  fixed 
for  this  hour. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  Saturday,  the  28th  day  of  January,  1893,  beginning  at  3 
p.  m.,  be  set  apart  for  the  purpose  of  paying  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Hon. 
ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE,  lately  a  Representative  from  the  Sixth  district  of 
South  Carolina. 

Mr.  McLAURiN.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  ofter  the  resolutions  I  send 
to  the  desk. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  business  of  the  House  be  now  suspended  that  oppor- 
tunity may  be  gfven  for  tributes  to  the  memory  of  the  Hon.  ELI  T.  STACK- 
HOUSE,  late  a  Representative  from  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  particular  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
deceased,  and  in  recognition  of  his  eminent  abilities  as  a  distinguished 
public  servant,  the  House,  at  the  conclusion  of  these  memorial  proceed- 
ings, shall  stand  adjourned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the  Senate. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  be  instructed  to  send  a  copy  of  these  resolu- 
tions to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  MCLAURIN,  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Mr.  SPEAKER  :  The  ineed  of  unstinted  praise  is  alone  the 
heritage  of  the  dead.  "De  mortuis  nil  nisi  bonum"  is  the 
revered  adage  of  the  ages.  While  living  the  veil  of  charity  is 
thrown  over  the  frailties  of  man,  but  the  grave,  with  its  solemn 

5 


6     Address  of  Mr.  McLaurin,  of  South  Carolina,  on  the 

mysteries,  speaks  in  commanding  tones,  say  nothing  but 
good  of  the  dead.  Life  would  be  more  tolerable  and  joyful  if 
the  living  could  hear  the  wails  of  the  sympathetic,  the  fulsome 
praise  of  the  eloquent,  and  read  the  flattering  inscriptions 
upon  their  own  tombstones.  But  such  can  not  be,  for  the  his- 
tory of  man's  injustice  is  embodied  in  the  history  of  "man's 
inhumanity  to  man."  Mausoleums  commemorate  the  truth 
that  the  dust  of  the  dead  only  is  perfect. 

Monumental  praise  is  but  the  tribute  paid  by  the  living  to 
the  dead,  by  mortality  to  immortality.  It  is  well  that  it  is  so. 
Man's  inhumanity  to  man  makes  countless  thousands  of  the 
living  to  mourn,  and  to  carry  it  beyond  the  grave  would  be  sac- 
rilegious persecution  of  the  dead.  It  is  then  less  embarrassing 
to  eulogize  the  dead  than  the  living,  for  the  kindly  veil  that 
death  draws  leaves  visible  only  the  bright  spots  in  the  lives  of 
the  departed.  But  it  is  embarrassing  for  youth  to  eulogize  old 
age.  To  do  justice  to  the  old  hero  who  has  attained  his  three 
score  and  ten,  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  times  in  which  he 
has  lived  and  his  peculiar  characteristics,  formed  and  shaded 
by  his  environments,  is  essentially  necessary;  for  such  are  con- 
necting links  between  generations,  and  'their  lives  comprise 
volumes  of  experience  and  achievements.  I  regret  that  my 
knowledge  of  the  deceased  was  limited  on  account  of  our 
respective  ages,  and  sensibly  feel  my  inability  to  do  full  justice 
to  his  life  and  character. 

Col.  E.  T.  STACKHOUSE,  my  immediate  predecessor  in  this 
House  from  the  Sixth  district  of  South  Carolina,  was  born  in 
Marion  County  on  the  27th  day  of  March,  1824,  and  was  there- 
fore at  the  time  of  his  death  in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 
He  was  educated  in  the  country  schools,  and  never  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  a  collegiate  course.  Before  he  had  completed 
the  course  he  had  marked  out  for  himself  he  married  Miss  Anna 
Fore,  the  daughter  of  a  neighbor.  A  long  and  happy  married 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.          7 

life  and  seven  children  blessed  this  union.     Mrs.  Stackhouse 
died  only  a  few  months  before  he  did. 

The  chosen  occupation  of  Col.  STACKHOUSE  was  farming,  and 
of  this  calling  he  was  ever  proud,  and  persistently  adhered  to  it 
through  life.  He  was  always  in  advance  of  the  agricultural 
thought  of  the  times,  and  was  a  bold  and  successful  experi- 
menter. Without  much  money,  but  with  an  abundant  stock 
of  energy  and  good  common  sense,  he  adopted  early  in  life  the 
intensive  system  of  farming,  and  was  rewarded  with  remarka- 
ble success.  In  this  respect  he  was  a  pioneer  and  exemplar  to 
his  county.  The  Little  Eock  community,  where  he  always 
lived,  to-day  owes  much  of  its  prosperity  and  reputation  as  a 
farming  section  to  his  influence  and  example.  In  fact,  the 
entire  State  recognized  his  worth  and  progressiveness.  He 
was  elected  by  his  county  to  the  legislature,  became  the  first 
president  of  the  State  Alliance,  and  afterwards  a  member  of 
this  body. 

Never  before  in  the  history  of  the  State  had  such  honorable 
recognition  been  accorded  a  simple  farmer.  In  1861  Col. 
STACKHOUSE  entered  the  Confederate  army  from  Marion 
County  as  captain  of  a  company  which  was  incorporated  in 
the  Eighth  South  Carolina  Eegiment.  In  April,  1861,  the  regi- 
ment, under  Col.  Cash,  entered  service  in  Charleston,  where  it 
remained  until  after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter.  It  was 
then  transferred  to  Virginia,  where  it  became  a  part  of  the 
historic  army  of  Northern  Virginia,  with  which  it  remained 
until  after  the  surrender  at  Appoinattox.  From  captain  he 
was  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel  and  then  colonel,  which 
latter  position  he  held  at  the  surrender. 

Although  advanced  in  mid,dle  life  when  South  Carolina 
seceded,  yet  in  reponse  to  his  patriotic  impulses  he  was  one  of 
the  first  to  volunteer  and  one  of  the  last  to  retire  from  service. 
He  fought  not  for  glory  but  from  a  sense  of  duty,  and  the  con- 


8     Address  of  Mr.  McLaurin,  of  South  Carolina,  on  the 

sciousness  that  the  cause  of  his  State  wa«  a  righteous  one. 
When  the  crisis  came  in  which  the  Southern  Confederacy  col- 
lapsed and  its  cause  was  chronicled  as  one  of  the  lost  causes, 
he  was  the  same  patriot  he  had  been  during  the  times  of  war. 
Few  men  who  had  attained  the  age  of  Col.  STACKHOUSE  when 
the  war  ended  were  ever  able  to  so  completely  adjust  them- 
selves to  the  new  order  of  things. 

Men  of  my  age  can  hardly  appreciate  what  fortitude  it  took 
at  middle  life,  after  a  crushing  defeat,  with  the  added  desola- 
tion and  misery  left  by  Sherman's  army  in  its  "  March  to  the 
Sea,"  for  one  to  gather  up  the  scattered  threads  of  a  broken 
existence  and  begin  anew  the  battle  of  life.  My  only  remem- 
brance is  as  of  a  horrid  nightmare,  the  white,  tearful  face  of  a 
widowed  mother  and  her  little  brood,  where  all  had  been 
plenty,  dependent  for  food  upon  what  was  thrown  away  by  the 
victorious  army  and  picked  up  by  faithful  slaves. 

Amid  these  trying  scenes  of  reconstruction  Col.  STACK- 
HOUSE  exhibited  the  same  traits  which  in  war  made  his  com- 
manding officer  speak  of  him  as  the  "  steadiest  colonel  in  the 
brigade." 

Pledging  anew  his  loyalty  to  the  Union  and  the  Constitution, 
save  as  a  memory  he  adjured  the  old  South,  with  its  traditions, 
and  addressed  himself  to  the  work  of  building  up  a  new  South. 
He  settled  upon  his  plantation,  gathered  up  the  fragments  of 
his  lost  property,  and  engaged  with  heroic  energy  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  When  others  were  croaking  and  gliding  into 
bankruptcy,  he  demonstrated  the  possibility  of  making  cotton 
at  a  profit  with  hired  labor.  He  was  soon  called  from  his  retire- 
ment to  represent  his  county  in  the  State  legislature.  As  a 
member  of  that  body  he  made  his  mark  for  solid  sense  and 
sound  judgment,  although  modest  and  unostentatious.  There 
he  zealously  advocated  all  measures  looking  to  the  agricultural 
interests  of  the  State.  His  constituency  then  accorded  him 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.          9 

the  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant "  with  as  much  sin- 
cerity as  his  late  constituency  did  when  he  had  finished  his 
course  as  a  member  of  this  House. 

Col.  STACKHOUSE  was  an  ideal  citizen,  modest,  unassuming, 
and  imperturbable,  yet  firm,  bold,  and  agressive  in  his  convic- 
tions. Conservative,  cautious,  and  slow,  yet  advanced,  patri- 
otic, and  pertinacious  in  his  actions,  his  was  a  versatile  stamp 
of  citizenship.  Old  theories  were  not  adhered  to  for  their 
antiquity,  nor  were  prevailing  ideas  adopted  because  they 
were  entertained  by  the  multitude.  He  was  ever  ready  to 
accommodate  himself  to  changed  conditions  in  agriculture,  poli- 
tics, or  anything  else,  and  to  adopt  progressive  ideas  and 
methods.  He  followed  what  his  convictions  taught  him  was 
right  in  spite  of  criticism  or  opposition.  He  thought  for  him- 
self, and  was  no  truculent  follower  of  majorities,  but  sought  to 
be  a  molder  of  public  opinion  and  leader  of  men. 

Devotion  and  faithfulness  characterized  his  relations  as  a 
father,  husband,  and  friend.  In  his  family  circle  he  was  the 
household  god.  To  his  friends  he  was  the  soul  of  honor.  To 
his  country  and  State,  his  loyalty  was  ardent  and  invincible. 
To  the  people  who  honored  and  loved  him,  he  was  as  true  as 
steel,  and  to  his  God  he  was  always  the  humble  and  obedient 
servant.  Strong  common  sense,  an  almost  infallible  judgment, 
and  a  profound  knowledge  of  human  nature  were  his  conspic- 
uous intellectual  qualities. 

Candor,  sincerity,  and  conscientiousness  were  his  predomi- 
nating graces.  Indomitable  energy,  scrupulous  honesty,  and 
fidelity  to  his  friends  were  the  mainsprings  of  his  success  in 
his  industrial  and  political  life.  A  combination  of  all  these 
qualities  made  him  an  American  Cincinnatus.  He  was  a 
humane  man  and  master.  During  the  existence  of  slavery  he 
taught  those  held  in  bondage  by  him  to  read  and  write. 
There  was  a  statute  in  South  Carolina  prohibiting  this,  but  he 


10    Address  of  Mr.  McLaurin,  of  South  Carolina,  on  the 

felt  that  his  obligation  to  his  God  was  higher  and  more  sacred 
than  anything  else.  To  do  this  required  moral  courage  and  a 
Christianity  that  embraced  in  its  charity  the  whole  brother- 
hood of  man.  It  was  his  custom  to  assemble  his  slaves  at  the 
gin-house  every  Sunday  afternoon  to  teach  them  the  way  of 
life. 

In  attestation  of  the  appreciation  by  the  colored  people  of 
his  humanity  several  hundred  attended  his  funeral  and  testi- 
fied in  every  way  to  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held.  His 
neighbors  loved  him  for  his  kindness  and  unselfishness.  His 
charity  in  dispensing  favors  and  giving  aid  and  sympathy 
to  the  unfortunate,  needy,  and  distressed  was  proverbial.  Col. 
STACKHOUSE  was  a  self-made  man,  the  architect  of  his  own 
fortunes.  He  was  from  the  great  middle  class,  the  farmer 
class,  and  could  boast  of  no  illustrious  ancestry,  but  depended 
upon  his  own  intrinsic  merit,  his  own  inherent  manhood, 
energy,  and  unconquerable  will. 

Born  and  bred  in  old  South  Carolina,  yet  he  was  a  true  rep- 
resentative of  new  South  Carolina,  typical  Carolinian  of  the 
new  faith  and  new  school  born  of  the  civil  revolution  of 
1861-'65,  which  wrought  wonderful  changes  in  the  social,  polit- 
ical, and  industrial  condition  of  the  State.  Had  that  revolu- 
tion never  occurred,  I  hazard  little  in  saying  that  the  deceased 
would  never  have  represented  South  Carolina  in  this  body. 
The  condition  of  affairs  in  the  State  before  that  re  volution  was 
peculiar,  resulting  from  the  idea?  of  the  Old  World  trans- 
planted in  the  new  and  the  attempt  to  ingraft  them  in  the 
society  and  polity  of  the  colony. 

In  the  course  of  time  an  aristocracy  based  on  a  slaveocracy 
dominated  old  South  Carolina  and  completely  controlled  her 
social,  political,  and  industrial  destinies.  This  necessarily 
created  two  classes  as  distinct  as  the  Patrician  and  Plebeian 
orders  of  Rome.  The  large  slave-owners  became  the  rulers 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         1 1 

and  office-holders,  and  the  masses  of  the  people  were  regarded 
as  unfit  to  govern.  It  was  an  intolerant,  defiant,  and  uncom- 
promising tyranny,  suppressing  free  speech,  free  thought,  and 
independence  of  action.  There  was  no  irrepressible  conflict 
then,  because,  from  force  of  habit,  education,  and  a  disinclina- 
tion to  assert  their  sovereignty,  the  middle  class  succumbed. 

Nullification  and  secession  were  the  legitimate  fruits  of 
this  condition  of  things.  This  is  a  true  picture  of  old  South 
Carolina,  of  which  Hayne,  Calhoun,  and  Rhett  were  true 
representatives.  The  abolition  of  slavery  was  the  destruc- 
tion of  this  system.  The  rich  and  powerful  of  the  old  became 
the  poor  and  weak  of  the  new.  The  workingmau  of  the  old 
regime  became  the  enterprising  and  successful  citizen  of  the 
new.  The  shackles  of  caste  were  removed  and  the  artificial 
distinction  of  classes  abrogated.  The  farmer  and  working- 
man  claimed  their  God-given  rights  and  boldly  and  defiantly 
entered  the  political  arena.  This  changed  condition  did  bring 
about  an  irrepressible  conflict  between  the  reconstructed  orders 
of  society. 

During  Federal  reconstruction  there  was  a  truce  between 
the  old  political  leaders  and  those  developed  by  the  new  order 
of  things.  In  1876,  by  the  united  and  patriotic  efforts  of  both, 
harmonized  for  a  time  by  the  common  instinct  of  self-preserva- 
tion, the  infamous  carpetbag  government,  pinned  to  our  backs 
by  Federal  bayonets,  was  overthrown,  and  the  State  rescued 
from  the  alien  and  the  spoiler.  As  soon  as  this  revolution  was 
accomplished  the  old  ante  helium  leaders  sought  to  reestablish 
their  autocratic  sway.  Political  devices  of  various  kinds  were 
adopted  to  delude  the  people  and  drive  them  into  their  old- 
time  supineness.  Negro  domination  was  perpetually  held  up 
as  the  inevitable  result  of  agitation.  For  a  time  the  spirit  of 
reform  and  the  latent  desire  and  determination  of  the  people 
to  rule  was  kept  in  check. 


12  Address  of  Mr.  Lanham,  of  Texas,  on  the 

But  at  last,  like  some  mighty  giant  just  aroused  to  a  conscious- 
ness of  his  power  by  repeated  injuries,  the  people  aroused  from 
their  lethargy,  and,  trusting  in  their  own  might,  determined  to 
be  sovereign.  The  election  of  B.E.Tillman  as  governor  in  1890, 
accomplished  by  the  general  uprising  of  the  people  under  the 
leadership  of  Tillman,  STACKHOUSE,  and  others,  was  the  culmi- 
nation of  this  great  social  and  political  revolution  and  one  of 
the  legitimate  results  of  the  reconstructive  and  evolutionary 
effects  of  the  war  cf  1861 .  The  economic  conditions  prevailing 
elsewhere  of  course  also  played  their  part.  This  irrepresible 
conflict  has,  however,  we  hope,  about  ended.  In  this  brief 
picture  of  new  South  Carolina  Col.  STACKHOUSE  occupies  a 
conspicuous  place  in  the  work  of  reform  and  rehabilitation. 
As  one  of  the  people,  risen  from  their  ranks,  their  champion, 
he  deserves  their  everlasting  gratitude  and  remembrance. 

Full  justice  could  not  be  done  to  his  life  work  and  memory 
without  referring  to  the  stupendous  social  and  political  re  volu- 
tions in  which  he  was  a  prominent  actor.  The  eulogist  of 
Miltiades  and  Leonidas  could  not  do  justice  to  their  illustrious 
lives  without  at  least  a  passing  reference  to  Marathon  and 
Thermopyla3. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  LANHAM,  OF  TEXAS. 

Mr.  SPEAKER  :  It  was  a  sharp  and  sudden  summons  which 
removed  from  our  midst  the  venerable  form  of  Col.  STACK- 
HOUSE.  u  At  such  an  hour  as  we  thought  not,"  its  service  was 
had  upon  him.  It  is  doubtful  if  even  he  were  premonished  of 
its  abrupt  approach.  We  all  remember  with  what  surprise  we 
received  the  tidings  of  his  death.  On  the  preceding  day  he 
was  at  his  post  of  duty  in  the  House,  when  none  of  us  imag- 
ined it  was  for  the  last  time. 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         13 

Believing,  as  we  do,  that  he  was  "ready"  in  all  the  work  of 
spiritual  preparation  for  the  "  coming"  of  the  summons,  it  may 
be  that  its  suddenness  was,  after  all,  designed  by  Providence 
in  kindness  and  blessing.  No  protracted  pain ;  no  extended 
suffering;  no  languishing  for  weary  days  and  sleepless  nights, 
awaiting  "the  inevitable  hour"  and  article;  none  of  the  lassi- 
tude and  emaciation ;  the  slow  and  gradual  but  certain  processes 
of  physical  disintegration;  the  lingering  wasting  away;  the 
usual  scenes  and  conditions  which  attend  the  last  sickness  of 
the  body  and  precede  the  final  departure  of  the  spirit — none  of 
these  things  superadded  to  the  affliction  of  his  death. 

Were  it  given  to  men  to  know  in  advance  the  very  hour  and 
circumstance  of  the  fulfillment  of  their  appointment  to  die,  no 
matter  whether  in  the  near  or  remote  future,  the  gloom  of  its 
constant  shadow  would  make  them  miserable.  "Blindness  to 
the  future,  kindly  given,"  renders  life  tolerable.  Lift  the  veil 
that  excludes  the  vision  of  the  things  to  be,  and  personal  history 
and  daily  existence  wTould  be  encumbered  with  unremitting 
anxiety  and  ceaseless  apprehension.  It  is  well  that  "we  know 
not  now"  what  must  be  "known  hereafter." 

Mr.  Speaker,  it  seems  not  inappropriate  that  I  should  say  a 
word  on  this  sad  occasion  in  commemoration  of  the  good  man 
who  thus  passed  away.  Being  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  I 
feel  a  great  interest  in  all  that  concerns  that  State  and  its 
people.  My  knowledge  of  Col.  STACKHOUSE  antedates  his 
service  in  this  body.  I  first  saw  him  in  the  Confederate  army. 
We  belonged  to  the  same  command.  He  was  a  brave  man  and 
a  gallant  officer.  He  did  his  duty  as  it  was  given  to  him  to 
see  his  duty. 

The  subliinest  word  of  our  language  was  the  criterion  of  his 
conduct.  All  valorous  and  chivalric  men  who  had  a  place 
in  the  picture  of  the  war  will  appreciate  a  just  tribute  to  a 
soldier's  courage,  independent  of  the  banner  he  upheld.  The 


14  Address  of  Mr.  Lanham,  of  Texas,  on  the 

time  will  never  come  to  our  ex-soldiers  when  it  will  detract 
from  the  stature  of  a  Southern  man  to  say  of  him:  "He 
belonged  to  Longstreet's  corps,  and  his  record  was  clean  and 
honorable."  This  may  be  truthfully  affirmed  of  Col.  STACK- 
HOUSE. 

It  was  late  in  life  before  he  was  called  to  represent  his 
district  in  Congress,  and  his  service  was  brief.  We  were  all 
impressed  with  his  dignified  and  manly  bearing,  his  prompt 
attendance  upon  the  sessions  of  the  House,  and  the  readiness 
he  exhibited  in  the  discharge  of  his  legislative  duties.  From 
conversations  had  with  him  he  led  me  to  believe  that  the 
quietude  and  retirement  of  private  citizenship  and  home-life 
were  more  in  consonance  with  his  disposition  than  was  active 
participation  in  the  excitement  of  politics,  and,  had  he  lived,  it 
was  not  his  purpose  to  continue  in  Congress  beyond  a  second 
term.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  associates  here, 
respected  by  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  his  death 
was  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  surest  and  most  reliable  evidence  of  indi- 
vidual rectitude,  from  the  standpoint  of  human  judgment,  is 
to  be  discovered  in  the  estimate  put  upon  a  man  by  his  imme- 
diate neighbors — those  before  whom  he  has  "  gone  in  and  out " 
for  years,  who  have  had  ample  opportunity  for  the  observation 
of  his  daily  acts  and  the  introspection  of  his  private  character, 
who  actually  know  "  the  manner  of  man  he  is."  Given  the 
standing  of  a  man  at  home  by  those  qualified  to  bear  witness, 
and  it  is  not  difficult  to  define  the  real  credit  to  which  he  is 
entitled  and  the  consideration  of  which  he  is  worthy.  As 
measured  by  this  test  the  merits  of  Col.  STACKHOUSE  were  of 
the  highest  order. 

As  a  member  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Speaker 
to  accompany  his  remains  to  the  last  resting  place,  I  had  occa- 
sion to  hear  expressions  from  such  witnesses  concerning  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.        15 

opinions  entertained  of  him,  and  the  regard  felt  for  him  by 
his  closest  friends  and  neighbors.  The  funeral  was  largely 
attended  by  those  who  had  been  intimately  acquainted  with 
him.  The  universal  and  cordial  tribute  paid  to  him  was  such 
as  to  give  assurance  that  '<  no  better  man  ever  lived." 

I  was  specially  impressed  with  a  remark  made  by  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  who,  speaking  from  long  personal  observation  of 
the  virtues  of  Col.  STACKHOUSE,  said,  "He  was  the  gentlest 
man  I  ever  knew."  He  elaborated  his  many  excellent  quali- 
ties and  gave  instances  within  his  knowledge,  in  illustration 
of  the  gentleness  and  charity  which  adorned  the  life  and  con- 
duct of  the  deceased.  The  good  words  said  about  him  and 
the  generous  and  kindly  things  told  of  him  were  marked  by 
the  presence  of  the  utmost  sincerity  and  the  entire  absence  of 
artificial  post-mortem  laudation. 

It  may  be  declared  of  Col.  STACKHOUSE  that  his  life  was 
a  blessing  to  his  people.  His  precepts  and  examples  will  long 
survive  in  their  remembrance.  The  moral  tone  of  the  commu- 
nity in  which  he  lived  will  long  bear  impress  of  his  good  deeds 
and  useful  influence. 

What  more  is  there  of  and  for  a  man  in  this  world  than  to 
live  righteously,  die  peacefully  after  the  measure  of  his  work 
is  done,  and  return  to  the  dust  amid  the  sorrows  and  benedic- 
tions of  those  conversant  with  and  affected  by  his  record  ? 

Why  all  this  toil  for  triumphs  of  an  hour  ? 
What  though  we  wade  in  wealth  or  soar  in  fame, 
Earth's  highest  station  ends  in  "  Here  he  lies;" 
And  "  Dust  to  dust"  concludes  her  noblest  song. 


16  Address  of  Mr.  Davis,  of  Kansas,  on  the 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  DAVIS,  OF  KANSAS. 

Mr.  SPEAKER  :  We  are  here  to  pay  our  tribute  of  respect  to 
the  memory  of  a  departed  brother.  ELI  THOMAS  STACKHOUSE 
was  born  in  Marion  County,  S.  C.,  March  27, 1824.  He  received 
a  common-school  education  and  was  brought  up  to  the  business 
of  farming,  an  honorable  calling  which  he  never  abandoned. 
He  was  three  times  elected  to  represent  his  county  in  the 
State  legislature.  For  many  years  he  was  a  frequent  contrib- 
utor to  the  public  press  on  agricultural  subjects.  The  main 
effort  of  his  life  was  to  elevate  and  improve  the  agriculture  of 
his  State  and  section.  He  was  president  of  the  South  Carolina 
State  Alliance  several  terms  and  uniformly  aided  and  encour- 
aged every  organization  and  effort  for  the  benefit  of  farmers. 
He  was  also  a  trustee  of  the  Agricultural  College  of  his  State. 

He  came  to  the  Fifty-second  Congress  as  an  Alliance  Demo- 
crat, and  early  in  the  last  session  I  became  acquainted  with 
him.  Our  seats  in  this  House  were  near  each  other.  I  often 
felt  the  firm  grasp  of  his  warm  and  friendly  hand,  and  enjoyed 
the  benefit  of  his  wisdom  and  judgment  as  to  matters  before 
the  House,  and  profited  by  his  intelligent  conversation. 

Only  a  few  days  before  his  sudden  and  unexpected  departure 
I  enjoyed  with  him  a  walk  of  recreation  upon  the  streets  of  this 
city,  with  little  thought  by  either  of  us  that  there  was  to  be 
so  soon  a  parting  of  friend  from  friend. 

The  sudden  separation  of  friends  by  the  hand  of  death  brings 
up  earnest  thoughts  as  to  the  future  of  man's  existence.  Is 
this  body  all  that  there  is  of  humanity?  When  dust  returns 
to  dust  is  there  nothing  more?  Or  is  there  a  soul  and  spirit 
that  never  dies?  Is  this  body  of  man  the  instrument  and  the 
soul  only  the  music?  And  must  the  music  stop  when  the  harp 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli' Thomas  Stackhouse.         17 

is  broken  ?  Or  is  the  soul  the  musician  which  lives  after  the 
instrument  is  worn  out  and  laid  aside?  These  questions  have 
engaged  the  mind  of  man  in  all  ages,  and  in  no  age  of  the 
world's  history  have  men  failed  to  hold  to  the  doctrine  that 
the  soul  is  immortal. 

It  is  not  possible  that  "a  being  so  fearfully  and  wonder- 
fully made  as  man,  and  animated  by  a  spirit  still  more  fearful 
and  incomprehensible,  was  created  for  the  brief  term  of  a  few 
revolutions  of  the  planet  he  lives  on." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  appeal  to  men  who  have  devoted  their 
lives  to  the  study  of  theology  in  order  to  find  arguments  to 
support  the  doctrine  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul.  Men  of 
other  professions  and  callings  are  equally  confident  of  the  fact 
that  the  spirit  of  man  can  never  die.  The  mind  of  man  con- 
trols the  body  from  infancy  to  old  age.  The  mind  of  man  is  a 
creator.  The  mind  of  man  planned  the  pyramids  and  ancient 
temples.  The  hand  of  man  obeyed  the  will,  and  each  stone 
found  a  place  in  the  massive  pile.  Fluted  columns  and  sculp- 
tured arches  sprung  into  existence.  The  mind  conceives 
the  poem  which  lives  and  breathes  through  all  the  ages. 
Empires  are  founded  in  wisdom  and  outlive  the  hands  that 
made  them.  The  works  and  thoughts  of  authors,  statesmen, 
heroes,  and  patriots  live  as  long  as  time.  Then  why  should 
their  authors  cease  to  live?.  Even  the  dead  matter  of  which 
our  bodies  are  composed  is  indestructible.  As  matter  it  never 
ceases  to  exist.  Then  why  should  spirit,  as  spirit,  cease  to 
exist  ?  The  thought  is  absurd. 

The  mind  as  mind,  the  spirit  as  spirit,  will  live  forever.  The 
mind  of  man,  akin  to  God,  can  stamp  the  creations  of  its  genius 
upon  the  living  canvas,  and  the  almost  breathing,  speaking 
marble.  It  can  marshal  the  invisible  vibrations  of  the  air  into 
soul- stirring  and  soul-subduing  melody.  It  can  pour  forth  an 
eloquence  with  magic  power  to  lash  the  passions  of  man  into 
H.  Mis.  103 2 


18  Address  of  Mr.  Davis,  of  Kansas,  on  the 

a  whirlwind  of  fury,  or  to  calm  them  into  peace  and  quiet. 
It  can  control  the  elements  of  nature  to  do  its  bidding.  It 
can  record  its  thoughts  on  the  printed  page,  and  thus  pass 
them  down  to  ages  and  nations  yet  unborn.  It  can  conceive 
of  God,  who  lived  before  the  earth  or  the  heavens  began  their 
eternal  rounds,  and  must  live  still  while  the  music  of  their 
harmony  shall  endure. 

Shall  the  mind  of  man,  akin  to  God,  die  and  be  no  more? 
Perish  the  thought.  Matter,  as  matter,  endures  forever. 
Spirit,  as  spirit,  like  the  God  who  gave  it,  is  eternal. 

With  this  view  of  the  subject,  sustained  by  faith,  by  hope, 
by  reason,  by  science,  and  by  revelation,  we  have  not  lost  our 
friend.  He  has  only  gone  a  few  days  before.  We  shall  meet 
him  again  in  that  other  world,  when,  as  friend  greets  friend, 
we  shall  again  see  him  eye  to  eye,  where  there  will  be  no  more 
sorrowful  parting. 

The  poet  Bryant  has  drawn  a  picture  which  is  hopeful.  Let 
us  look  upon  it : 

THE   OLD  MAX'S  FUNERAL. 

I  saw  an  aged  man  upon  his  bier, 

His  hair  was  thin  and  white,  and  on  his  brow 
A  record  of  the  cares-  of  many  a  year ; 

Cares  that  were  ended  and  forgotten  now, 
And  there  was  sadness  round,  and  faces  bowed, 
And  women's  tears  fell  fast,  and  children  wailed  aloud. 

Then  rose  another  time-worn  man  and  said, 

In  faltering  accents,  to  that  weeping  train, 
"Why  mourn  ye  that  our  aged  friend  is  dead? 

Ye  are  not  sad  to  see  the  gathered  grain, 
Nor  when  their  mellow  fruit  the  orchards  cast, 
Nor  when  the  yellow  woods  shake  down  the  ripened  mast. 

"Ye  sigh  not  when  the  sun,  his  course  fulfilled, 

His  glorious  course,  rejoicing  earth  and  sky, 
In  the  soft  evening,  when  the  winds  are  stilled, 

Sinks  where  his  islands  of  refreshment  lie. 
And  leaves  the  smile  of  his  departure,  spread 
O'er  the  warm-colored  heaven  and  ruddy  mountain  head. 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         19 

"Why  weep  ye  then  for  him,  who,  having  won 

The  bound  of  man's  appointed  years,  at  last, 
Life's  blessings  all  enjoyed,  life's  labors  done, 

Serenely  to  his  final  rest  has  passed ; 
While  the  soft  memory  of  his  virtues,  yet 
Lingers,  like  twilight  hues  when  the  bright  sun  is  set 

"His  youth  was  innocent;  his  riper  age, 

Marked  with  some  act  of  goodness,  every  day ; 
And  watched  by  eyes  that  loved  him,  calm^  and  sage, 

Faded  his  late  declining  years  awray. 
Cheerful  he  gave  his  being  up,  and  went 
To  share  the  holy  rest  that  waits  a  life  well  spent." 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  LEWIS,  OF  MISSISSIPPI. 

Mr.  SPEAKER  :  Once  more  as  the  cycle  of  years  rolls  around 
we  find  ourselves  assembled  under  circumstances  of  solemnity 
to  pay  honor  to  the  memory  of  a  deceased  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives.  Col.  ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE  was 
born  in  Marion  County,  S.  C.,  March  27,  1824.  He  received 
his  education  at  the  country  schools,  taught  four  years,  and 
in  1847  settled  on  a  farm,  where  he  lived  a  progressive  and 
prosperous  farmer,  until  1861,  when  he  entered  the  Confederate 
army,  and  was  elected  captain  of  the  Marion  Guards. 

He  rose  to  the  rank  of  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  colonel, 
and  in  every  position  which  he  occupied  and  in  every  emer- 
gency which  he  was  called  upon  to  meet  in  the  vicissitudes  of 
a  long  and  fearfully  destructive  war  he  proved  himself  a  sol- 
dier of  the  highest  qualities.  Whether  in  the  camp  of  winter, 
on  the  line  of  march,  or  in  the  bristling  array  of  a  charge  on 
the  enemy,  he  was  the  same  calm,  self-adjusted,  fearless  sol- 
dier, and  even  when  the  crested  waves  of  battle  broke  at  his 
feet  his  brave  heart  beat  with  a  steady  throb  and  his  steel- 
grey  eye  looked  with  undaunted  vision  on  the  face  of  war's 


20  Address  of  Mr.  Lewis,  of  Mississippi,  on  the 

most  fearful  aspect.  Mild  and  gentle  in  his  manners  almost 
to  the  verge  of  effeminacy,  he  was  yet  in  the  highest,  broadest, 
and  best  sense  of  the  word  a  man. 

His  life  was  gentle,  and  the  elements 

So  mix'd  in  him,  that  Nature  might  stand  up 

And  say  to  all  the  world,  "  This  was  a  man ! " 

The  godlike  sentiment,  "  One  touch  of  nature  makes  the 
whole  world  kin,"  found  in  his  life  beautiful  illustration.  To 
the  poor  he  was  a  benefactor,  to  the  good  a  companion,  and  to 
all  an  example. 

It  was  my  pleasure  and  good  fortune  to  have  been  intimately 
associated  with  Col.  STACKHOTJSE  during  the  first  session  of 
the  Fifty-second  Congress.  I  knew  him  not  only  in  the  halls 
of  Congress,  where  many  men  are  made  somewhat  artificial  by 
the  self-imposed  restraints  of  conventional  life,  but  I  also  knew 
him  in  the  free  and  undisturbed  communion  of  daily  private 
life,  and  in  both  relations  he  was  the  same  plain,  honest,  sin- 
cere, and  noble  man. 

Unaffected  by  the  influences  which  lead  weak  men  to  incon- 
sistency and  wrong,  he  held  to  the  uudeviating  course  of  his 
life  with  modest  yet  unshaken  courage.  He  measured  all  his 
motives  and  acts  by  the  highest  human  standard,  always  clear 
to  him  in  the  light  of  a  tender  Christianity  that  unceasingly 
welled  up  from  the  depths  of  his  great  soul.  Mr.  Speaker,  the 
abnormal  development  of  a  few  strong  traits  of  character,  pro- 
jecting a  man  far  out  in  advance  of  his  fellows,  even  when  not 
marred  by  the  attendance  of  many  weaknesses,  does  not  in 
my  judgment  fill  the  largest  measure  of  possible  greatness. 

There  is  a  sense  of  propriety,  an  element  of  proportion,  a 
rule  of  symmetry  that  must  be  observed  in  fashioning  the 
grandest  and  noblest  lives,  as  well  as  in  chiseling  the  rarest 
models  of  sculpture  or  painting  the  brightest  gems  of  pictures. 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.        21 

To  the  well-rounded  and  most  symmetrical  characters  we  may 
look  for  greatest  and  best  results,  as  well  as  for  brightest  and 
most  useful  examples.  To  this  catalogue  belongs  the  name  of 
Col.  STACKHOUSE.  His  life  was  full  of  usefulness  and  success, 
and  as  an  exhibition  of  the  possible  achievements  of  American 
citizenship,  unaided  by  the  adventitious  increments  of  fortune, 
stands  out  as  a  shining  and  hopeful  example  to  aspiring  youth 
wherever  blessed  by  the  muniments  of  a  Government  like  ours. 

Though  prepared  for  the  summons  to  the  untried  beyond, 
death  came  to  Col.  STACKHOUSE  in  an  unexpected  hour.  So 
swift  and  noiseless  were  the  steps  of  the  inexorable  messenger, 
I  knew  not  till  the  dawn  of  another  day,  though  under  the 
same  roof,  that  his  spirit  had  left  its  temporal  tenement  of  clay 
to  abide  in  a  house  with  many  mansions,  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens. 

The  invocation  of  the  gifted  poetess,  that  death  might  not 
say  to  her  "  Good  night,"  was  perfectly  answered  in  the  death 
of  him  whom  we  now  honor : 

Life !     I  know  not  what  thou  art, 
Bnt  know  that  thou  and  I  must  part; 
And  when  or  how  or  where  we  met, 
I  own  to  me's  a  secret  yet. 

Oh,  whither  dost  thou  fly? 

Where  bends  unseen  thy  trackless  course  f 

And  in  this  strange  divorce, 

Oh,  tell  where  I  must  seek  this  compound  I. 

To  the  vast  ocean  of  empyreal  flame, 

From  whence  thy  essence  came, 

Dost  thou  thy  flight  pursue  when  freed 

From  matter's  base  encumbering  need  ? 

Or  dost  thou,  hid  from  sight, 

Wait,  like  some  spellbound  knight, 

Through  blank  oblivious  years  the  appointed  hour 

To  break  .thy  trance  and  reassume  thy  power? 

Yet  cans't  thou  without  thought  or  feeling  bef 

O,  say  what  thou  art,  when  no  more  thou'rt  thee! 


22          Address  of  Mr.  Lewis,  of  Mississippi,  on  the 

Life !  we've  been  long  together 

Through  pleasant  and  through  cloudy  weather; 

;Tis  hard  to  part  when  friends  are  dear; 

Perhaps  't  will  cost  a  sigh,  a  tear ; 

Then  steal  away,  give  little  warning, 

Choose  thine  own  time ; 

Say  not  "Good  night",  hut  in  some  brighter  clime 

Bid  me  "  Good  morning." 

Col.  STACKHOUSE  was  born  and  raised  on  a  farm,  and  was 
accustomed  to  manual  labor.  The  beginning  of  the  war  found 
him  a  prosperous  and  happy  farmer,  with  an  accomplished  and 
devoted  wife  and  three  lovable  children.  What  stronger  ties 
could  a  man  have  to  entwine  him  to  life !  Still  at  the  first  call 
of  patriotism  he  committed  his  life  to  the  casualties  of  war. 
After  four  years  of  gallant  service  he  returned  home  with 
broken  health  to  a  wasted  farm  and  an  empty  exchequer,  with 
the  superadded  misfortune  of  a  large  indebtedness  by  reason  of 
surety  for  other  men. 

By  a  skillful  system  of  extensive  farming  he  soon  carried  his 
farm  beyond  its  erstwhile  figures  of  products  and  in  a  few 
years  by  farming  alone  he  paid  every  cent  with  interest  for 
which  he  was  surety,  and  besides  added  several  thousand  dol- 
lars to  his  modest  fortune.  Successful  in  the  highest  degree, 
and  beloved,  honored,  and  exalted  by  those  who  knew  him 
best,  it  seems  not  unreasonable  that  we  might  have  expected 
of  him  some  degree  of  indulgence  in  that  sense  of  self-gratifica- 
tion which  most  self-made  men  feel  and  but  few  can  all  conceal. 
Yet  in  his  life  there  was  no  trace  of  self-exaltation. 

His  whole  life,  though  not  voiced  in  words,  was  a  touching 
tribute  to  the  beautiful  sentiments  expressed  in  the  following 
gem  of  poetry : 

Oh,  why  should  the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud? 
Like  a  swift-fleeting  meteor,  a  fast-flying  cloud, 
A  flash  of  the  lightning,  a  break  of  the  wave, 
Man  passeth  from  life  to  his  rest  in  the  grave. 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         23 

The  leaves  of  the  oak  and  the  willows  shall  fade, 
Be  scattered  around,  and  together  be  laid, 
And  the  young  and  the  old,  and  the  low  and  the  high, 
Shall  molder  to  dust  and  together  shall  lie. 

The  hand  of  the  king  that  the  scepter  hath  borne, 
The  brow  of  the  priest  that  the  miter  hath  worn, 
The  eye  of  the  sage  and  the  heart  of  the  brave, 
Are  hidden  and  lost  in  the  depth  of  the  grave. 

The  peasant  whose  lot  was  to  sow  and  to  reap, 
The  herdsman  who  climbed  with  his  goats  up  the  steep ; 
The  beggar  who  wandered  in  search  of  his  bread 
Have  faded  away  like  the  grass  that  we,  tread. 

The  saint  who  enjoyed  the  communion  of  heaven, 
The  sinner  who  dared  to  remain  unforgiven, 
The  wise  and  the  foolish,  the  guilty  and  just, 
Have  quietly  mingled  their  bones  in  the  dust. 

So  the  multitude  goes,  like  the  flower  or  the  weed 
That  withers  away  to  let  others  succeed; 
So  the  multitude  comes,  even  those  we  behold, 
To  repeat  every  tale  that  has  often  been  told. 

'Tis  the  wink  of  an  eye,  'tis  the  draught  of  a  breath, 
From  the  blossom  of  health  to  the  paleness  of  death, 
From  the  gilded  saloon  to  the  bier  and  the  shroud — 
Oh,  why  should  the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud? 


ADDRESS  OF  MR,  SHELL,  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Mr.  SPEAKER  :  AH  one  of  the  representatives  of  the  State  of 
South  Carolina,  I  appear  in  its  name  to  pay  a  brief  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE,  one  whom  every  citizen 
in  that  Commonwealth  delighted  to  honor. 

I  will  not  enter  at  length  upon  the  history  of  the  good  man 
whose  death  we  mourn,  but  it  is  so  full  of  instruction,  and  has 
so  much  in  it  to  encourage  virtue,  that  I  would  not  be  excused 
if  I  were  to  pass  it  by  altogether.  It  is  impossible  to  forget, 
while  we  trace  his  career  as  a  citizen  and  soldier,  that  he  was 


24       Address  of  Mr.  Shell,  of  South  Carolina,  on  the 

guided  throughout  life  by  a  high  sense  of  honor  that  never 
yielded  to  temptation,  and  never  shrunk  from  danger. 

My  knowledge  of  and  association  with  Gen.  STACKHOTJSE 
differ  in  some  respects  from  others  who  may  speak  concerning 
him.  Our  acquaintance  dates  from  1861,  at  the  beginning  of 
hostility  between  the  States.  The  opportunities  of  his  youth, 
as  told  me  by  himself,  were  extremely  limited,  but  by  industry 
and  rigid  economy  he  secured  a  fair  education  and  for  a 
while  taught  school.  Very  early  in  life  he  married,  and  for 
more  than  forty  years  enjoyed  the  companionship  of  his  wife, 
who  assisted  him  by  loving  counsel  and  a  helping  hand  in 
securing  a  competency  sufficient  to  bring  comfort  in  their 
old  age. 

For  many  years  his  wife  was  an  invalid,  becoming,  as  she 
did,  a  helpless  charge ;  but  amidst  all  these  trials  and  afflic- 
tions neither  of  them  murmured,  because  it  was  the  will  of 
God.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  all  who  knew  him  would  testify  as  to  his  life  of 
consecration.  His  hospitable  home  was  open  wide  to  every 
one  who  sought  refuge,  and  he  extended  charity  to  all  who 
presented  the  withered  hand  of  poverty;  he  was  the  friend  of 
the  oppressed,  and  was  always  found  on  the  side  of  the  weak, 
without  regard  to  creed  or  color. 

Inspired  by  love  of  country,  like  every  true  patriot  born  on 
Southern  soil,  he  enrolled  himself  in  the  service  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy  and  fought  with  distinguished  gallantry  until  the 
end  of  the  war.  Gen.  STACKHOTJSE  never  had  an  apology  for 
his  action  in  that  bloody  conflict,  believing  as  he  did  that  he 
was  justified  by  a  consciousness  of  right.  It  was  during  these 
years  of  service  that  it  was  my  privilege  to  be  closely  associated 
with  him ;  it  was  then  and  there  that  I  became  acquainted  with 
the  man,  and  the  noble  qualities  that  characterized  his  whole 
life.  He  was  unobtrusive  and  courteous,  with  a  disposition 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse,         25 

gentle  aud  kind;  these  habits  were  prominent  in  his  everyday 
transactions,  especially  so  in  his  own  family,  where  he  displayed 
unusual  urbanity,  never  forgetting  that  gentleness  of  manner 
that  always  secured  respect  and  admiration.  So  circumspect 
and  correct  was  his  demeanor,  it  was  told  me  by  a  member  of 
his  own  household  that  he  was  never  known  to  express  him- 
self impatiently  iii  the  presence  of  his  own  family. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  the  old  veteran  sheathed  his 
sword,  accepted  in  good  faith  the  terms  of  capitulation,  and 
turned  his  face  towards  the  home  he  loved  so  well.  The  accu- 
mulated property,  for  which  he  had  spent  years  of  toil,  had 
departed  with  his  blighted  hopes.  Once  more,  with  a  resolute 
heart,  he  resumed  the  duties  of  husbandman ;  his  success  was 
equal  to  his  merit,  and  in  a  few  years,  by  constant  toil,  his 
labors  were  abundantly  blessed,  and  once  more  comfort  and 
happiness  were  secured  to  his  home. 

Very  soon,  however,  he  was  called  by  his  people  to  represent 
their  interest  in  the  State  legislature,  which  duty  he  performed 
with  honor  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituency.  At 
the  conclusion  of  his  legislative  duties  he  returned  to  his  rural 
home  to  enjoy  the  companionship  of  his  lovely  family  and  there 
remained  fora  season,  giving  personal  attention  to  his  delight- 
ful occupation,  agriculture.  He  was  again  called  forth  to  enter 
upon  other  important  duties,  in  the  discharge  of  which,  by  his 
assiduity  and  unceasing  devotion,  he  endeared  himself  to  the 
hearts  of  the  toiling  masses.  He  had  scarcely  reentered  upon  his 
usual  avocation  when  his  services  were  once  more  required,  and 
lie  was  placed,  without  opposition,  to  represent  his  State  in  the 
councils  of  the  nation. 

In  all  these  years  just  recounted,  although  our  homes  were 
separated  by  distance,  we  kept  record  of  each  other  and  occa- 
sionally met  to  renew  the  intimate  associations  formed  when 
together  engaged  in  hostile  strife ;  and  it  was  "again  my  pleasure 


26  Address  of  Mr.  Watson,  of  Georgia,  on  the 

to  be  thrown  with  him  in  intimate  association  on  the  floor  of 
this  House,  where  he  demonstrated  in  his  short  term  of  service 
the  same  excellent  qualities  which  characterized  him  in  every 
relation  of  life.  He  was  a  happily  constituted  man — firm  as  a 
rock,  with  a  will  unyielding  to  wrong. 

Apart  from  his  nobleness  of  character,  his  participation  in 
some  of  the  notable  events  of  our  country's  history  would  be, 
sufficient  to  render  him  illustrious.  Surrounded  by  illustrious 
men,  wise  in  their  generation,  who  are  struggling  to  emulate  the 
example  of  the  good  and  great  who  have  gone  before  them,  he 
who  so  lately  stood  among  us  has  been  leveled  with  the  dust. 

After  a  long  life  of  disinterested  public  service,  he  has  "  gath- 
ered up  his  feet "  in  peace,  and  gone  to  his  fathers. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  WATSON,  OF  GEORGIA. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  Within  the  last  few  days  we  have  been 
called  upon  to  pay  honor  to  three  very  distinguished  citizens 
of  theBepublic;  the  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
Mr.  Lamar;  the  late  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States, 
Mr.  Hayes ;  and  the  late  Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Elaine. 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  deprecate  a  word  of  praise  that  has 
been  spoken  in  honor  of  those  eminent  men;  bat  I  dare  to  say 
that  the  humbler  individual  whom  we  honor  here  to-day  just 
as  thoroughly  deserves  his  meed  of  praise  as  either  of  his  more 
exalted  fellow-citizens. '  I  have,  in  common  with  all  of  our 
people,  the  spirit  of  hero-worship  which  gives  admiration  to 
the  brave  leader,  whether  in  war  or  in  peace ;  but  I  have  also 
a  profound  respect  for  the  humbler  citizen  who,  in  quieter 
ways,  performs  those  lesser  works  of  duty,  which,  after  all, 
make  up  chiefly  the  golden  threads  in  the  warp  of  human  life. 

The  distinguished  citizen  in  whose  honor  we  are  speaking 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         27 

here  this  afternoon  was  a  quiet  man,  walking  in  the  humbler 
paths  of  life,  not  distinguished  according  to  the  highest  meas- 
ure of  fame,  but  a  man  who  discharged  every  duty  honestly, 
fearlessly,  zealously,  and  who  won  for  himself  a  place  in  the 
esteem  of  those  who  knew  him  which  sometimes  those  who 
walk  more  conspicuously  never  win. 

It  would  be  utterly  impossible  to  judge  of  this  man  appro- 
priately unless  we  took  some  account  of  his  work.  We  have 
heard  from  those  who  knew  him  all  his  life  some  account  of 
his  deeds  in  the  years  gone  by;  of  his  zealous  attention  to 
farm  affairs,  of  his  discharge  of  neighborhood  duties,  of  his 
loving  kindness  as  a  father,  as  a  husband,  as  a  friend.  We 
have  heard  his  comrades  in  arms  praise  his  fidelity  and  cour- 
age on  the  field  of  battle. 

I  only  knew  him  in  the  latter  months  of  his  life,  when  I  saw 
him  discharging  the  trust  which  the  Farmers'  Alliance  of  the 
South  had  put  into  his  hands,  and  I  can  speak  from  personal 
knowledge  of  the  religious  fidelity  with  which  he  discharged 
that  trust.  Prompt  to  answer  to  every  roll  call,  punctual  in 
the  discharge  of  duty,  careful  in  attending  to  the  affairs  of  this 
body,  conscientious  in  every  vote  that  he  cast,  courteous  in  his 
dealings  with  his  fellow-members,  I  hesitate  not  to  say  that  a 
more  worthy  gentleman  never  entered  this  Chamber. 
,  There  is  something  inspiring  in  seeing  an  older  man  take  up 
the  work  from  which  younger  men  sometimes  shrink.  The  task 
of  the  reformer  is  never  one  that  leads  to  a  bed  of  roses,  and 
is  never  one  that  leads  to  the  crown  of  roses.  It  is  always  a 
work  of  difficulty.  He  who  rebels  against  existing  evils  must 
make  up  his  mind  to  arduous  toil,  to  ridicule,  to  misconstruc- 
tion, and  to  hatred.  It  tests  the  courage  of  younger  men  to 
throw  the  gauntlet  bravely  in  the  face  of  existing  abuses  and 
to  say,  "  This  thing  is  wrong  and  I  will  combat  it." 

A  younger  man,  however,  is  expected  to  do  it;  but  for  an  older 


28  Address  of  Mr,  Watson,  of  Georgia,  on  the 

man,  his  hair  silvered  with  age,  his  body  bent  with  the  burden 
of  three- score  years,  and  his  spirit  perhaps  wearied  with  the 
collisions  of  life  that  had  come  upon  him  in  former  years — I  say 
it  is  especially  inspiring  to  see  an  older  man  grapple  with  the 
work  of  reform  in  spite  of  ridicule  and  abuse. 

The,  Farmers'  Alliance  of  the  South  has  been  misunderstood, 
misrepresented,  and  misjudged.  The  fact  that  this  man  be- 
longed to  it  shows  that  it  was  not  a  mere  movement  in  the 
direction  of  communism  and  anarchy;  that  it  did  not  emanate 
from  those  who  failed  in  love  to  the"  South,  in  respect  to  the 
law,  or  in  loyalty  to  the  flag.  It  came  from  men  who  struck  at 
abuses.  It  was  a  protest  against  the  condition  of  things  that 
now  pertains ;  a  protest,  industrial,  and  against  the  system 
which  gathers  what  the  many  make  in  order  that  the  idle  few 
may  enjoy  it 5  a  protest,  political,  against  the  system  which 
shuts  out  from  control  the  great  masses  of  the  sovereigns  of 
the  land  according  to  its  law,  and  gives  that  control  into  the 
hands  of  the  irresponsible  and  secret  few;  a  protest  against  a 
condition  of  affairs  which  denies  to  8,000,000  human  beings  the 
exercise  of  the  franchise  accorded  by  law,  and  which  builds  to 
the  future  upon  the  false  foundation  of  the  sectional  animosities 
of  the  past. 

This  man,  in  spite  of  the  abuse  and  ridicule  heaped  on  that 
order,  was  true  to  its  principles,  to  its  mission,  to  its  creed, 
died  nobly  true  to  that  greatest  of  all  precepts  that  the  citizen 
should  discharge  his  duty  in  his  own  sphere  with  the  best  power 
that  the  Almighty  has  given  to  him ;  that  he  should  be  a  mem- 
ber of  that  sacred  band  which  carries  the  light  of  honest 
thought,  of  brave  speech,  and  of  independent  action  down  the 
ages.  In  this  noble  company  are  to  be  found  the  statesmen 
who  think  for  those  who  will  not  think,  the  warriors  and 
patriots  who  fight  for  those  who  otherwise  would  not  have 
fought,  that  liberty  may  live. 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  7h(fmas  Stackhouse.         29 

Mr.  Speaker,  as  I  have  said,  I  have  not  words  too  warm  in 
which  to  speak  my  praise  of  a  man  who  lives  up  to  this  ideal. 
It  is  easy  to  submit,  it  is  easy  to  agree,  it  is  easy  to  bow  the 
head  at  the  shrines  which  custom  has  erected  around  us;  but 
it  takes  courage  to  disagree,  to  protest,  to  lift  the  standard  of 
revolt.  Yet,  sir,  it  is  to  the  few,  it  is  to  the  minority  who  make 
the  protest  in  every  age  against  its  wrongs  that  we  owe  every 
principle  upon  our  statute  books  which  is  worth  the  ink  in 
which  it  is  written. 

There  is  not  among  our  laws,  or  in  our  Constitution,  a  single 
principle  which  we  cherish  and  to  which  we  owe  our  civil  lib- 
erties that  did  not  cost  some  brave  woman  her  tears  and  some 
brave  man  his  blood.  The  very  principle  that  the  individual 
citizen  should  have  some  hand  in  making  the  laws  and  in 
shaping  his  government  cost  the  life  of  Algernon  Sidney  one 
hundred  years  before  Thomas  Jefferson  wrote  it  down  amid 
the  plaudits  of  all  intelligent  Americans. 

The  protest  of  the  minority  in  one  age  becomes  the  accepted 
creed  of  the  majority  of  the  next.  The  martyrs  of  one  gener- 
ation are  the  heroes  of  the  next. 

We  of  the  South,  Mr.  Speaker,  as  you  well  know,  have  had 
peculiar  conditions  to  consider.  With  the  most  earnest  thought 
that  our  statesmen  have  given  it,  the  question  is  not  yet  solved. 
That  grand  order,  sir,  of  which  you  are  an  honorable  member, 
and  to  which  you  owe  your  election  to  this  House  just  as  I  owe 
mine,  and  just  as  the  deceased  owed  his — I  say  that  grand 
body  of  men  put  their  hands  to  its  solution,  and,  with  God's 
help,  they  will  solve  the  question.  They  have  done  much;  they 
have  done  wonders.  They  have  done  it  under  eveiy  dis- 
couragement; and  I  believe  that  they  will  finally  succeed  in 
bringing  to  the  South  a  solution  which  will  guarantee  to  us 
that  success  in  the  future  which  the  manhood  and  the  woman- 
hood and  the  splendid  material  advantages  of  our  section 
naturally  deserve. 


30  Address  of  Mr:  Watson,  of  Georgia,  on  the 

No  society  can  rest  secure  upon  a  false  foundation.  No  sec- 
tion can  open  the  doorway  to  progress  when  it  denies  to  any 
large  body  of  its  citizens  their  rights  under  the  law ;  and  for 
this  reason  we  have  dared  to  say  in  the  South,  and  the  order 
to  which  the  deceased  belonged  has  dared  to  say  it — that  the 
true  solution  of  the  Southern  question  and  the  very  foundation 
on  which  to  build  up  Southern  prosperity  is  to  give  to  all  of 
its  citizens  equal  and  exact  justice  under  the  law,  and  accept 
the  aid  of  all  in  building  up  the  prosperity  of  a  section  which 
we  all  should  love. 

Mr.  Speaker,  a  doctrine  like  that  runs  counter  to  the  preju- 
dices of  generations ;  runs  against  political  teachings  coming 
from  those  who  have  saddled  upon  the  South  doctrines  of 
finance  and  doctrines  of  taxation  which  they  utterly  abhor. 
This  doctrine,  though  sound,  may  not  succeed  in  a  day 
or  in  a  week  or  in  a  year;  but  just  as  surely  as  the  right  thing 
does  prevail,  it  will  triumph ;  and  when  we  shall  have  done 
that  we  will  open  to  the  South — not  to  some  of  her  people, 
not  to  one  color  of  her  people,  but  to  all  of  her  people  whether 
of  one  color  or  another — the  glorious  doorway  of  a  magnifi- 
cent future. 

There  is  not  a  man  in  all  this  land  who  loves  that  section 
more  dearly  than  myself.  I  yield  to  no  man  in  my  profound 
regard  for  the  integrity  of  Southern  life,  for  its  splendid  courage 
as  illustrated  in  a  hundred  battlefields,  for  its  pure  woman- 
hood, which  has  made  our  home  life  so  sacred.  We  are  proud 
of  her  past,  proud  of  her  people,  and  love  every  foot  of  her  soil. 

Mr.  Speaker,  we  would  if  we  could  change  the  industrial  con- 
dition of  that  people.  We  know  that  her  homes  are  becoming 
desolate,  her  fields  stripped  and  bare,  and  her  children  wander- 
ing the  earth  asking  for  work  and  for  bread.  We  know  that 
many  a  brave  soldier  who  went  back  after  the  war  and  found 
enough  property  to  make  himself  comfortable  is  to-day  home- 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         31 

less  under  laws  more  infamously  unjust  than  any  people  have 
had  to  suffer  since  free  government  was  founded.  We  would, 
if  we  could,  give  new  life  to  the  South;  put  upon  her  pale  and 
shrunken  cheeks  the  ruddy  glow  of  health  and  hope.  We 
would  put  upon  her  bruised  and  bleeding  feet  the  sandals 
of  true  prosperity.  We  would  lift  from  her  sacred  limbs  the 
sackcloth  of  grief  and  despair  and  array  her  once  again  in  the 
splendid  attire  of  the  bride — the  light  of  hope  in  her  eyes 
and  the  smile  of  victory  on  her  lips.  We  would,  if  we  could, 
place  her  in  her  true  industrial  place  in  this  Union ;  as  proud 
as  the  proudest,  as  happy  as  the  happiest — -joyous,  prosperous, 
free. 

But,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  can  never  be  done  under  a  system, 
political  or  legislative,  which  throws  8,000,000  of  her  people  in 
antagonism  to  the  others,  which  makes  every  community  a 
scene  of  contention  where  injustice  is  adopted,  where  griev- 
ances are  felt,  and  where  no  solution  is  offered. 

I  believe,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  the  work  of  Mr.  STACKHOUSE 
was  in  the  direction  of  solving  this  question,  in  the  direction 
of  having  every  laborer  understand  that  the  cause  of  labor 
is  the  same  everywhere,  having  every  farmer,  white  and  black, 
understand  that  the  cause  of  the  farmer  is  the  same;  having 
every  producer,  white  and  black,  understand  that  the  cause 
of  the  producer  is  the  same;  and  thus  have  them  march  shoul- 
der to  shoulder  to  the  redress  of  grievances— demanding  laws 
which  would  insure  justice  to  all. 

Happy  is  the  man,  Mr.  Speaker,  to  whom  it  is  given  to 
complete  his  work;  to  find  himself  in  old  age  surrounded  with 
the  evidence  that  his  work  is  well  done  and  is  appreciated. 
Death  found  him  ready.  He  was  at  the  post  of  duty  where  his 
people  had  placed  him.  The  long  day's  toil  was  done.  Back 
of  him  he  could  see  sixty-odd  years  filled  with  patient  endeavor, 
filled  with  duties  honestly  discharged.  Splendid  was  the 


32  Address  of  Mr.  Cate,  of  Arkansas,  on  the 

record,  fit  to  go  to  the  high  court  of  the  Almighty.  The  even- 
ing of  life  coming  upon  him  in  all  its  quiet  beauty  found  the 
arms  of  this  sturdy  reaper  full  of  golden  sheaves  garnered  in 
those  long  years  of  honorable  toil;  and  as  he  went  to  his  sleep 
I  believe  that  his  pathway  was  brightened  by  content  and  by 
resignation,  and  that  the  hope  of  the  true  Christian  lit  its 
sacred  tires  in  his  soul.  [Applause.  [ 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  GATE,  OF  ARKANSAS. 

Mr.  SPEAKER  :  It  was  not  my  privilege  to  know  Col.  STACK- 
HOUSE,  except  during  his  service  in  the  first  session  of  the 
Fifty-second  Congress,  and  then  for  but  a  limited  period  of 
time.  This  was  sufficient,  however,  to  enable  nie  to  form  an 
estimate  of  his  capacity  and  usefulness  as  a  Representative 
and  his  personal  and  social  qualities  as  a  man.  Hence  I  shall 
have  to  leave  to  others  who  have  had  the  honor  to  know  him 
in  his  earlier  days  the  pleasure  of  reviewing  the  events  that 
made  up  a  useful  and  honorable  life,  which  was  devoted  to  the 
service  of  his  country  and  his  countrymen. 

In  the  short  interval  of  our  acquaintance  we  were  somewhat 
intimate,  as  we  sat  at  the  same  table  and  slept  beneath  the 
same  roof,  and  I  learned  to  respect  him  for  his  dignified  and 
manly  bearing,  his  uniform  courtesy,  and  unfailing  kindli- 
ness on  all  occasions  and  under  all  circumstances.  He  was 
my  ideal  of  the  Southern  gentleman  of  the  old  school.  Just 
to  all,  honest  in  everything,  "  without  fear  and  without 
reproach." 

He  brought  to  the  consideration  of  public  questions  a  clear 
and  vigorous  intellect  and  a  conscientiousness  that  never  failed 
to  discern  the  right,  and  a  courage  that  never  hesitated  to  do 
the  right.  He  had  gallantly  borne  his  part  in  the  struggles 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         33 

of  his  native  State ;  had  heroically  shared  with  his  people  the 
gloom  of  defeat  and  disaster,  and  yet  there  was  no  shadow  of 
repining  or  misanthropy  to  mar  the  pleasures  of  his  compan- 
ionship. He  had  known  sorrow  and  bereavement,  yet  his  faith 
in  the  justice  and  mercy  of  an  all-wise  Providence  was  not 
shaken. 

I  was  near  him  in  the  hour  of  his  death,  and  when  it  was 
apparent  that  he  had  passed  away  I  felt  that  in  that  moment 
there  had  gone  from  the  earth  a  good  man  and  a  true  one,  and 
that  on  the  other  shore  he  was  entering  into  the  reward 
reserved  for  the  righteous. 

Peace  to  his  ashes,  and  honor  to  his  memory. 

The  resolutions  oft'ered  by  Mr.  McLAURiN  were  agreed  to. 
The  House  then,  in  pursuance  of  the  resolution  previously 
adopted,  adjourned  until  2  o'clock  p.  in.,  Monday,  January  30. 
H.  Mis.  103 3 


PROCEEDINGS  IN  THE  SENATE. 


ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  DEATH 


JUNE  14, 1892. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  Mr.  President,  I  offer  the  resolutions  which  I 
send  to  the  desk. 

The  VICE-PRESIDENT.  The  resolutions  submitted  by  the 
Senator  from  South  Carolina  will  be  read. 

The  Secretary  read  the  resolutions,  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  the  announce- 
ment of  the  death  of  Hon.  E.  T.  STACKIIOUSE,  late  a  Representative  from 
the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  Senators  be  appointed  by  the  Presid- 
ing Officer  to  join  the  committee  appointed  on  the  part  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  to  take  order  for  superintending  the  funeral  of  the 
deceased,  and  to  escort  the  remains  to  the  place  of  burial. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

The  resolutions  were  agreed  to  unanimously;  and  the  Vice- 
President  appointed  as  the  members  of  the  committee  on  the 
part  of  the  Senate,  under  the  second  resolution,  Mr.  Butler, 
Mr.  Kyle,  Mr.  White,  Mr.  Gallinger,  and  Mr.  Allen. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  move  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  the  deceased,  that  the  Senate  do  now  adjourn. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to;  and  (at  12  o'clock  and  20  minutes 
p.  m.)  the  Senate  adjourned  until  to-morrow,  Wednesday,  June 

15,  1892,  at  12  o'clock  in. 

35 


EULOGIES. 


FEBRUARY  4, 1893. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  ask  the  Senate  to  proceed  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  announc- 
ing the  death  of  Hon.  ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE,  of  South  Carolina. 

The  PRESIDING  OFFICER.  The  Chair  lays  before  the  Senate 
the  resolutions  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  which  will 
be  read. 

The  Secretary  read  as  follows : 

IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES, 

January  28,  1893. 

Resolved,  That  the  business  of  the  House  be  now  suspended  that  oppor- 
tunity may  be  given  for  tributes  to  the  memory  of  the  Hon.  ELI  T.  STACK- 
HOUSE,  late  a  Representative  from  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  particular  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
deceased,  and  in  recognition  of  his  eminent  abilities  as  a  distinguished 
public  servant,  the  House,  at  the  conclusion  of  these  memorial  proceed- 
ings, shall  stand  adjourned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the  Senate. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  be  instructed  to  send  a  copy  of  these  resolu- 
tions to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  submit  the  resolutions  which  I  send  to  the 
desk. 

The  PRESIDING  OFFICER.  The  resolutions  will  be  read. 
The  Secretary  read  the  resolutions,  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  received  with  deep  regret  the  announce- 
ment of  the  death  of  the  Hon.  ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE,  late  a  Representative 
from  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and  tenders  to  the  family  of  the  deceased 
the  assurance  of  its  sympathy  in  their  bereavement. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  transmit  to  the  family  of 
Mr.  STACKHOUSE  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolution. 
36 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         37 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  BUTLER,  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  The  Hon.  ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE,  late  a 
member  of  Congress  from  the  Sixth  Congressional  district 
of  South  Carolina,  was  born  on  the  27th  day  of  March, 
1824,  in  the  district  of  Marion,  in  that  State.  He  died  on 
the  14th  of  June,  1892,  in  this  city,  and  was  buried  near 
the  place  of  his  birth  and  home,  at  Little  Eock. 

Except  when  absent  in  the  military  service  of  his  State 
during  the  civil  war,  Col.  STACKHOUSE  spent  his  entire  life 
where  he  was  born  and  buried.  The  high  estimate  of  his 
neighbors,  the  many  manifestations  of  their  esteem  and  con- 
fidence in  his  integrity  and  ability,  furnish  the  best  tribute 
to  his  sterling  qualities. 

He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  without  the  advantages 
which  wealth  and  opportunity  afford,  but  he  had  that  which  was 
better,  an  honest  heart,  a  clear  head,  and  great  tenacity  of  pur- 
pose. During  the  period  of  his  youth  his  environments  did  not 
furnish  many  facilities  for  liberal  education.  This,  however, 
did  not  deter  him  from  individual  exertions  in  the  acquirement 
of  knowledge,  and  at  19  years  of  age  he  devoted  himself  to  teach- 
ing for  the  four  following  years,  meanwhile  studying  hard  for  his 
own  advancement. 

He  returned  then  to  the  farm  and  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life  confined  himself  to  the  pursuits  of  agriculture.  Eesiding 
in  a  section  peculiarly  favored  with  a  most  salubrious  and 
healthful  climate,  and  a  soil  well  adapted  to  the  highest  state 
of  cultivation,  he  improved  these  natural  advantages,  and  by 
the  application  of  enlightened  methods  and  advanced  ideas 
achieved  a  success  rarely  reached  in  the  business  of  farming. 
In  fact  he  may  be  said  to  have  been  the  pioneer  in  South  Caro- 


38       Address  of  Mr,  Butler,  of  South  Carolina,  on  the 

lina  in  what  is  known  as  the  intensive  system,  a  system  which 
has  brought  so  much  of  profit  and  comfort  to  those  who  have 
pursued  it  intelligently  and  wisely. 

Gen.  STACKHOUSE  held  many  positions  of  trust  at  the  hands 
of  his  neighbors,  and  filled  them  all  with  credit  and  ability. 
He  was  three  times  elected  to  the  legislature  where  he  dis- 
charged his  duties  with  that  unerring  good  sense  which 
always  attended  his  actions,  and  with  that  independence  of 
judgment  and  fidelity  which  invariably  beget  confidence  and 
approbation.  He  was  the  first  man  in  the  State  to  advocate 
the  establishment  by  the  State  of  an  agricultural  college, 
where  the  youth  of  the  country  might  have  opportunity  to 
acquire  knowledge  of  the  science  of  agriculture,  and  it  was 
largely  through  his  eiforts  the  Clemson  College,  now  in  process 
of  construction,  was  set  on  foot  and  provided  for.  He  was 
selected  as  one  of  its  trustees  and  contributed  by  his  practical 
good  sense  to  making  it  a  State  institution  worthy  of  the 
beneficent  objects  for  which  it  was  instituted. 

He  was  elected  president  of  the  State  Farmer's  Alliance,  and 
imparted  to  that  organization  principles  which  would  have 
made  it  a  most  effective  instrumentality  for  good  had  they 
been  adhered  to  by  those  who  succeeded  him.  So  thoroughly 
imbued  was  he  with  the  great  and  almost  boundless  possibili- 
ties of  agriculture  in  the  South  that  he  embraced  every  move- 
ment tending  to  improve  and  advance  it,  and  espoused  with 
zeal  and  enthusiasm  every  cause  which  might  alleviate  the 
condition  and  enhance  the  prospects  of  his  chosen  avocation. 

It  would  only  be  necessary  to  visit  his  model  farm  and  com- 
fortable home  to  realize  how  far  advanced  he  was  in  the 
science  of  agriculture  and  the  intelligent  application  of  scien- 
tific principles  in  the  business  of  farming  and  how  profitable 
he  made  that  business.  It  would  be  a  valuable  object  lesson 
to  those  who  are  inclined  to  croak  and  decry  the  Dursuit  of 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         39 

agriculture  as  an  unsatisfactory  and  unreinunerative  avoca- 
tion. 

Gen.  STACKHOUSE  had  been  taught  in  the  school  of  political 
faith  with  so  many  of  his  fellow  countrymen  that  his  first  alle- 
giance was  due  to  his  State,  so  that  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
civil  war,  when  his  State  summoned  him  to  arms,  he  obeyed 
her  command  and  cast  his  fortunes  with  hers. 

He  entered  the  military  service  as  a  captain  and  surrendered 
his  sword  as  a  full  colonel. 

Here  he  discharged  his  duty  with  the  same  straightforward 
conscientious  devotion  that  distinguished  him  in  civil  and  pri- 
vate life.  To  say  that  he  commanded  the  confidence  of  his 
superiors  and  subordinates  would  convey  an  imperfect  concep- 
tion of  the  absolute  trust  reposed  in  his  judgment  and  fidelity. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  unostentatious,  unpretending  of  men, 
with  habits  and  demeanor  as  simple  as  his  honesty  was  rugged 
and  his  character  without  guile.  Abstemious  and  prudent  in 
all  things,  he  refrained  entirely  from  the  use  of  intoxicants. 
He  did  not,  however,  judge  others  harshly  who  differed  with 
him  in  this  regard  or  fail  to  tolerate  the  opinions  or  habits  of 
those  who  were  not  governed  by  the  same  strict  rule. 

As  a  Christian  gentleman  he  was  without  reproach,  and  I 
doubt  if  the  Methodist  Church  ever  had  a  more  consistent  mem- 
ber or  one  who  lived  more  nearly  up  to  his  professions.  Taking 
him  all  in  all,  Mr.  President,  it  can  be  safely  and  truly  said  his 
State  never  produced  a  more  honest  man,  upright,  patriotic 
citizen  or  a  Christian  more  devoted  to  his  religious  faith. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Fifty-second  Congress  without  opposi- 
tion, and  so  strongly  was  he  intrenched  in  the  good  opinion  and 
confidence  of  his  constituents  it  is  doubtful  if  he  would  ever 
have  had  opposition.  He  represented  a  constituency  of  high 
intelligence  and  great  public  spirit,  and  within  the  limits  of  his 
district  are  to  be  found  the  scenes  of  many  of  the  brilliant 


40   Address  of  Mr.  Gallinger,  of  New  Hampshire,  on  the 

achievements 'of  that  unique  Bevolutionary  soldier.  Gen.  Fran- 
cis Marion.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  he  was  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  an  enlightened  constituency. 

His  career  in  Congress  was  too  short  to  enable  him  to  impress 
his  elevated  character  and  sterling  abilities  on  his  colleagues 
and  the  country,  but  I  venture  the  opinion,  formed  on  personal 
knowledge,  that  he  left  with  those  who  came  in  contact  with 
him  nothing  but  sentiments  of  esteem,  good  will,  and  confi- 
dence. If  he  had  been  spared  a  few  years  longer  his  sound 
judgment  and  faithful,  patriotic  performance  of  duty  would 
have  been  felt  in  the  legislation  of  Congress.  He  reached  very 
nearly  the  Scriptural  limit  of  three  score  and  ten,  and  died 
as  he  had  lived,  honored  and  respected  by  all. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  GALLINGER,  OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT  :  My  acquaintance  with  the  late  Congress- 
man STACKHOUSE  was  very  limited,  but  I  knew  him  well 
enough  to  recognize  in  him  a  faithful  public  servant  and  an 
honorable,  high-minded,  and  useful  citizen.  He  belonged  to 
a  class  of  men  whose  influence  will  always  be  felt  for  good 
in  this  country. 

An  enlightened  and  progressive  farmer,  he  labored  for  the 
upbuilding  and  advancement  of  the  agricultural  interests  of 
his  State,  and  was  always  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  any 
proposition  that  was  calculated  to  benefit  those  who  till  the 
soil.  Both  as  a  practical  farmer  and  a  writer  on  farm  topics 
he  commanded  the  respect  and  confidence  of  those  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  was  recognized  as  a  teacher  whose 
experience  and  training  entitled  him  to  a  foremost  place  in  the 
councils  of  the  agriculturists. 

As  a  fit  representative  of  that  great  interest  his  fellow  citi- 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         41 

/ens  elected  him  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  in  which 
body  he  served  with  industry,  aptitude,  and  ability. 

It  was  my  painful  duty  to  serve  as  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  to  convey  the  remains  of  the  dead  Congress- 
man to  his  South  Carolina  home.  At  every  stopping  place  in 
the  State  some  word  of  kindly  feeling  was  heard  concerning 
him,  and  at  his  quiet  home  in  the  country  evidences  of  profound 
and  universal  sorrow  were  witnessed. 

The  great  audience  that  assembled  in  the  church  in  the 
shadows  of  the  pines  was  not  drawn  there  by  curiosity  or  the 
formal  dictates  of  neighborhood  duty.  They  were  there  to 
pay  the  last  sad  tribute  to  a  man  whom  they  loved.  Whites 
and  blacks  alike  felt  and  exhibited  sincere  sorrow,  and  the 
discriminating  and  loving  tributes  paid  to  his  memory  brought 
tears  to  the  eyes  of  many  of  those  present. 

He  was  buried  beside  the  church,  in  the  presence  of  his  serv- 
ants, his  family,  and  his  neighbors,  and  as  the  grave  closed 
over  the  coffin  all  felt  that  a  good  man  had  departed,  and  that 
the  State  had  lost  one  of  her  best  and  most  loyal  sons. 

Mr.  President,  I  turned  away  from  that  scene  thanking  God 
that  whatever  differences  of  opinion  may  divide  the  people  of 
the  States,  it  is  well  that  death  leads  every  heart  to  the  con- 
templation of  divine  things — that  it  is  well  that  in  the  South 
as  well  as  in  the  North  the  open  grave  teaches  the  lesson  of 
man's  frailty,  and  of  man's  immortality  as  well — that  under 
the  Southern  skies  as  well  as  in  our  Northern  clime  character 
means  much,  and  that  a  life  well  spent  commands  the  respect 
and  admiration  of  all  classes  of  people. 

I  turned  away  from  the  grave  feeling  that  the  lesson  of  Mr. 
STACKHOUSE'S  life  would  necessarily  be  felt  in  every  home  in 
the  community,  and  that  it  would  be  an  incentive  to  higher 
thoughts,  purer  purposes,  and  better  lives  on  the  part  of  those 
he  left  behind. 


42         Address  of  Mr.  Kyle,  of  South  Dakota,  on  the 

A  kind  husband  and  father,  a  good  citizen,  a  liberal  contrib 
utor  to  all  worthy  causes,  an  amiable,  upright,  conscientious 
man,  what  better  tribute  can  be  paid  to  his  memory  than  a 
mere  statement  of  his  virtues  ?  Mr.  STACKHOTJSE  lived  for  his 
people  and  his  State,  he  died  in  the  service  of  his  country,  he 
was  buried  in  the  presence  of  those  who  knew  and  loved  him, 
and  unless  our  beliefs  are  a  myth  and  the  future  a  hopeless 
state  this  good  man  did  not  die  in  any  true  sense,  but  simply 
underwent  a  transition  from  a  life  of  toil  and  pain"  to  a  better 
life  of  immortal  joys  and  never-ending  happiness. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  KYLE,  OF  SOUTH  DAKOTA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT  :  The  Fifty-second  Congress,  now  drawing 
to  a  close,  has  been  called  upon  frequently  to  record  the  death 
of  some  faithful  servant  of  the  nation.  The  ways  of  the 
All-wise  Kuler  are  mysterious  and  past  finding  out.  We  are 
reminded  that  our  lives  are  but  a  span,  and  that  the  Angel 
of  Death  is  swift  in  his  coming,  calling  us -hence  while  in  the 
midst  of  our  duties.  Happy  is  he  who  on  rounding  out  his 
career  has  the  consciousness  of  having  served  well  his  day 
and  generation.  His  monument  is  already  erected. 

The  tributes  of  esteem  and  love  from  honest  and  loyal 
hearts  furnish  an  inscription  more  enduring  than  letters  cut 
in  marble.  ELI  T.  STACKHOUSE,  late  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Eepresentatives,  was  born  in  Marion  County,  S.  C.,  March 
28, 1824.  He  had  almost  completed  his  three  score  years  and 
ten ;  a  life  of  usefulness  and  devotion  to  the  State  that  gave 
him  birth.  Beared  upon  the  farm,  he  choose  farming  as  his 
vocation. 

It  is  remarked  by  many  that  he  was  a  farmer  and  that  he 
loved  his  occupation.  The  general  impression  is,  Mr.  Presi- 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         43 

dent,  that  this  calling  is  not  held  in  as  high  esteem  as  in  the 
early  days  of  our  Eepublic,  when  the  immortal  Washington 
was  called  from  his  farm  below  this  city  to  the  duties  of  state. 
If  this  be  true  it  is  a  sad  comment  upon  a  progressive  nation. 

Farming  is  a  vocation  commended  and  approved  by  the 
Creator  and  calculated  to  produce  the  highest  development 
of  body  and  mind.  The  best  moral  force  of  our  nation  has 
been  found  in  the  farming  classes.  They  are  brave,  strong, 
courageous  men,  pointed  to  with  pride  as  the  nation's  strongest 
support.  It  is  not  to  our  credit  as  a  free  and  just  Government 
that  during  the  past  quarter  of  a  century  this  class  of  our 
citizens  have  been  placed  under  the  yoke  of  oppression,  com- 
pelling them  to  unite  in  self-defense  and  to  petition  Congress 
for  redress. 

The  people  of  the  new  South  well  understand  the  present 
situation  and  the  burden  resting  upon  the  farmer.  Men  like 
our  departed  brother  quickly  discerned  the  present  drift; 
quickly  foresaw  the  disaster  awaiting  their  noble  calling  unless 
they, asserted  themselves.  The  farmers  of  his  locality  and  of 
his  State  regarded  him  as  a  leader  wise,  just,  and  conservative. 
They  showed  their  esteem  and  confidence  in  him  by  choosing 
him  three  times  as  leader  of  the  State  Farmers'  Alliance,  and 
by  sending  him  at  different  times  to  the  legislature  of  the 
State.  He  labored  for  the  interest  of  all,  white  and  black; 
and  when  he  came  to  Congress  he  came  as  the  Representative 
of  a  loyal  and  honest  constituency  who  were  looking  for  reme- 
dial legislation. 

Col.  STACKHOUSE  was  a  true  representative  of  the  so-called 
farmers'  movement,  in  his  State  and  the  United  States;  which 
means  a  fair  and  just  consideration  of  all  interests  and  voca- 
tions, a  thoroughly  just  and  impartial  legislation  granting 
equal  rights  to  all. 

He  was  a  plain  man  of  the  people,  whose  heart  beat  in  sym- 


44        Address  of  Mr.  Kyle,  of  Soiith  Dakota,  on  the 

pathy  with  those  who  toil.  His  life  was  iiot  ostentatious  and 
yet  he  was  one  of  nature's  noblemen.  He  was  proud  to  be 
numbered  with  those  who  earned  bread  by  sweat  of  the  brow. 

As  a  reward  he  possessed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  a 
constituency  who  honored  him  by  calling  him  to  public  life, 
and  to  crown  his  life  made  him  one  of  the  chief  lawmakers  of 
the  land.  He  now  enjoys  the  reward  of  one  who  has  been  true 
to  his  God,  true  to  himself,  and  true  to  his  fellow-men. 

Few  can  understand  the  burden  of  toil  and  responsibility 
which  devolved  upon  those  who,  after  a  civil  strife  of  five 
years,  by  which  the  laud  had  been  devastated  and  the  labor 
methods  of  generations  transformed,  returned  to  saddened 
and  desolate  homes  to  rear  again  the  structure  of  fortune  and 
good  government. 

The  reconstruction  days  were  dark  days,  and  yet  there  were 
brave  men  who,  having  fought  from  conscientious  motives  dur- 
ing the  rebellion,  undertook  to  lead  the  people  to  conform  to  the 
new  order  of  things,  and  who  saw  in  prospect  a  new  South  of 
healthier  growth  built  upon  the  ashes  of  the  old.  i 

Such  a  leader  was  Col.  STACKHOUSE.  Given  to  reflection 
and  conservative,  he  was  yet  courageous  in  the  face  of  duty, 
and  in  advance  of  many  of  his  fellow-men  in  measures  of 
popular  reform. 

He  possessed  those  virtues  which  combine  to  make  the 
great  man  and  statesman  whatever  be  his  vocation.  His  gifts 
developed  through  nature's  channels  until  when  the  body 
faded  from  view  his  powers  of  mind  and  soul  appeared  all 
the  more  brilliant.  His  last  days  were  his  best  days.  The 
impress  of  his  life  is  left  upon  the  institutions  of  his  State  and 
his  country;  and  when  the  summons  came  it  found  him  at  the 
post  of  duty,  but  ready  for  the  introduction  into  a  brighter 
life — the  life  immortal — the  Christian's  hope. 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.         45 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  IRBY,  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  I  deem  it  a  privilege  to  be  permitted  to 
lay  my  tribute  on  the  tomb  of  Gen.  STACKHOUSE,  of  South 
Carolina,  the  distinguished  gentleman  whose  death  we  were 
so  lately  and  so  suddenly  called  upon  to  mourn.  It  is  indeed 
a  privilege  and  a  duty,  melancholy  though  it  be,  to  speak  of 
one  who,  having  endeared  himself  to  all  to  whom  he  was  known, 
left  behind  him  none  but  grateful  and  honoring  memories. 

I  can  not  claim  an  intimate  friendship  with  the  late  venerable 
and  distinguished  gentleman  who  so  worthily  represented  the 
Sixth  South  Carolina  district  in  the  Lower  House,  but  I  do 
claim,  in  common  with  many  men  of  my  own  and  other  States, 
that  his  friendship  was  something  to  be  desired,  that  associa- 
tion with  so  pure  and  chivalrous  a  gentleman  was  something  of 
which  to  be  proud  and  to  proudly  recall. 

In  such  a  case  it  might  be  better  for  me  to  say  nothing,  for  to 
say  little  is  to  do  but  scant  justice  to  the  memory  of  a  man  who, 
in  a  great  State,  was  honored  in  youth,  in  the  flower  of  his 
manhood,  and  upon  whom  a  grateful  constituency  showered  its 
honors  and  favors  at  the  sunset  of  life,  when  his  battle  has  been 
fought  and  won,  when  he  had  been  prepared,  soldier,  patriot, 
and  knightly  gentleman  as  he  was,  to  receive  his  eternal  reward. 

I  do  not  know  that  I  could  select  from  the  long  roll  of  sons 
who  have  served  her  in  late  years  the  name  of  one  that  better 
illustrates  the  name  of  South  Carolina  than  that  of  Gen.  STACK- 
HOUSE.  He  received  from  his  ancestors  the  heritage  of  a  name 
as  dear  to  him  as  it  was  of  honor  to  his  State,  and  jealously  did 
he  maintain  its  credit  and  its  glory.  He  lived  out  a  long  life  of 
devotion  to  his  family  and  duty,  and  died  wearing  well  and 
modestly  the  honors  of  a  grateful  and  appreciative  people. 


46        Address  of  Mr.  Irby,  of  South  Carolina,  on  the 

This  fact  alone  were  enough  to  speak  his  most  eloquent 
eulogy  and  present  the  fairest  view  of  a  most  exemplary  pub- 
lic and  private  life.  We  who  knew  him  and  who  became, 
through  associations  here,  familiar  with  his  recent  domestic 
affairs,  can  not  refrain  from  the  thought  that  it  was  the  death 
of  his  noble  wife  but  a  short  time  before  his  own  that  hastened 
that  of  our  dead  friend;  for  it  can  well  be  believed  that  so 
sweet  an  association  for  nearly  half  a  century  could  not 
be  broken  at  his  great  age  without  the  most  painful  and 
permanent  effect.  However  this  may  be,  the  death  that 
divided  has  again  united  the  wife  of  spotless  name  and  fame 
and  the  husband,  both  having  enjoyed  the  full  term  of  a  quiet 
and  beautiful  life,  and  having  parted  in  the  full  assurance 
of  a  happier  life  beyond  the  grave. 

I  have  purposely  left  to  those  who  were  his  intimate  friends 
the  relation  of  his  earlier  life,  and  to  his  companions  in  arms 
his  record  as  a  soldier.  For  he,  too,  responded  with  all  the 
ardor  and  enthusiasm  of  youth  to  the  trumpet  call  to  arms  in 
1861,  and  bore  himself  manfully  on  many  a  well-fought  field 
in  a  cause  which  with  his  last  breath  he  would  have  pro- 
nounced sacred  to  liberty  although  doomed  to  defeat. 

He  was  the  true  soldier,  for  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  he 
kept  steadily  before  him  his  duty  to  his  God,  and  whether  on 
the  tented  field,  in  the  arena  of  public  life,  or  in  the  domestic 
circle,  Gen.  STACKHOUSE  was  the  Christian  gentleman,  as  he 
was  the  pure  patriot  and  gallant  soldier.  Of  men  of  such 
heroic  type  as  this  we  may  say  with  earnest  truth  that  "after 
life's  fitful  fever  he  sleeps  well."  His  whole  career,  indeed, 
was  one  of  beautiful  symmetry  which  was  early  molded  under 
circumstances  well  calculated  to  leave  their  impress  on  his 
future  character. 

In  the  quietude  of  a  country  home  he  learned  and  practiced 
the  arts  of  peace,  which  were  ever  his  delight,  and,  when  the 


Life  and  Character  of  Eli  Thomas  Stackhouse.        47 

war  was  over,  he  returned  to  his  fields  to  labor  long,  faithfully, 
and  patiently,  to  begin  his  life  anew,  and  wonderful  was  his 
success — a  success  that  seemed  like  the  benediction  of  Provi- 
dence rewarding  a  life  well  spent  in  the  honorable  service  of 
home  and  country. 

If  there  was  one  trait  of  his  character  which  rose  higher  than 
another,  it  was  his  love  for  his  fellow- citizens,  whose  lot,  like  his 
own,  had  been  cast  to  be  worked  out  in  the  fields  of  his  native 
State.  So,  he  was  ever  foremost  with  tongue  and  pen  to  assist 
in  the  elevation  of  the  farming  classes,  to  lighten  their  labors, 
to  better  their  condition,  to  seek  with  enthusiasm  that  their 
lines  should  be  cast  in  more  pleasant  places.  For  this  he  was 
loved  iu  his  community  and  throughout  the  State,  for  his  repu- 
tation as  a  benefactor  of  his  people  through  the  Alliance  and 
otherwise  is  a  part  of  the  recent  history  of  South  Carolina. 

Gen.  STACKHOUSE,  it  may  be  truly  said,  even  in  the  stormy 
and  revolutionary  days  through  which  his  State  has  passed,  was 
not  an  agitator  in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  word.  Behind  all 
of  his  manifold  good  works  and  efforts  for  relief  was  the  consci- 
entious impulse  to  do  right  and  impartial  justice,  and,  guided 
by  a  sense  of  such  duty,  his  work  was  fearlessly  and  honorably 
done.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  he  was  a  man  of 
indomitable  courage,  energy,  and  inflexibility  of  purpose. 

On  the  field  of  battle  promotion  for  him  was  as  rapid  as  it 
was  well  merited,  and  in  political  life  he  asked  only  a  fair  field 
and  no  favor.  His  domestic  relations  were  of  singular  sweet- 
ness, his  amiability  and  endearing  disposition  being  household 
words  in  his  community. 

And  so  as  we  hold  up  in  brief  review  such  a  life  as  this  and 
regard  it  from  the  political,  social,  or  moral  standpoint,  the 
thought  comes  to  us  unbidden  that  "  this  was  a  man  indeed," 
whose  every  public  act  was  an  unwritten  eulogy,  every  domes- 
tic relation  a  virtue. 


48  Address  of  Mr.  Irby,  of  South  Carolina. 

I  could  say  110  more,  Mr.  President,  unless  it  were  in  ampli- 
fication of  these  sentiments  of  honor,  respect,  and  esteem  for 
the  deceased,  which  I  am  conscious  I  have  but  inadequately 
expressed.  A  loving  sou  of  a  devoted  mother  State,  the 
exemplary  husband,  the  cherishing  father,  the  knightly  soldier 
and  Christian  gentleman,  who  fought  well  the  good  fight  and 
who  triumphed  in  the  end,  sleeps  his  last  sleep. 

What  words  could  add  luster  to  the  brightness  of  such  a  rec- 
ord or  increase  the  glory  of  a  crown  so  nobly  won  ?  And  yet 
on  this  day,  set  apart  to  do  honor  to  his  memory,  I  could  not 
fail  to  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  to  lay  with  reverent 
and  aifectionate  feeling  my  humble  chaplet  on  the  tomb  of  a 
citizen  of  my  native  State,  who  did  so  much  to  illustrate  her 
brightest  history  by  the  integrity  of  his  character,  by  heroic 
sacrifice,  and  honorable  achievement. 

Mr.  President,  I  move  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions  sub- 
mitted by  my  colleague. 

The  resolutions  were  agreed  to  unanimously. 

Mr.  IRBY.  As  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of 
the  deceased,  I  move  that  the  Senate  do  now  adjourn. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to;  and  (at  5  o'clock  and  25  minutes 
p.  m.)  the  Senate  adjourned  until  Monday,  February  6,  1893, 
at  11  o'clock  a.  m. 


DATE  DUE 


GAYLORD 


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